The aftermath of Cyclone Komen has affected lives of over seven lakh people across the states of West Bengal, Odisha and Manipur.
The aftermath of Cyclone Komen has affected lives of over seven lakh people across the states of West Bengal, Odisha and Manipur, heavy rains have cut off important road links in the north-east, as West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Bannerjee blamed the Centre for not providing any assistance.
Like many other parts of Kolkata city, Amherst Street has been waterlogged since late last night and well into the afternoon today. The Kolkata Railway Station was submerged and services were suspended. Local and long distance trains from Sealdah and Howrah stations were running late because of waterlogging on the railway tracks and damage to signal systems.
Almost 1.8 lakh houses have been damaged and 21 lakh hectares of farmland has been submerged in 12 districts of the state. Atleast 39 people are feared dead and 1.19 lakh people have been shifted in 946 relief camps.
Before leaving to oversee relief work in Howrah, Ms Bannerjee said, "When so many people died in the landslides of Darjeeling, the Centre did nothing. We are poor state but we will manage. We will send them a report later but we will manage ourselves. Worst comes to worst, I will beg from people like you."
Manipur's capital, Imphal has been cut off from Moreh on the Indo-Myanmar border and Jiribam on the state's border with Assam, an estimated one lakh people are affected. Thoubal and Chandel districts are the worst hit, more than 100 vehicles, coming from Moreh were stranded near Tengnoupal.
Heavy rain forecast is in place for at least another 24 hours.
In Odisha, almost five lakh people have taken shelter in relief camps due to incessant rains. Though water in three major rivers of Odisha is receding, 593 villages have been affected.